New JT Gladiator Steering Issue TSB 08-074-20 (for "Improved Steering Feel")

[Rayzzz]

Were you getting death wobble before?

No death wobble but it required lots of constant correction and it wondered all over the road. Gladiator is my Third Jeep that I have owned and the others drove lots better even lifted so I knew it was a problem.

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[Bucephalus]

No death wobble but it required lots of constant correction and it wondered all over the road. Gladiator is my Third Jeep that I have owned and the others drove lots better even lifted so I knew it was a problem.

Glad it's fixed!

 

[SkyKing]

I tow my Gladiator behind my motor home with a Demco baseplate.
Has anyone else had their steering gearbox replaced with their tow plate installed? Did it cause dealership any trouble in the R&R?

 

[SkyKing]

Update
Jeep dealer replaced the gearbox and performed an alignment.
when I left with the Gladiator, it was immediately apparent there was something wrong.
there is a large dead spot in the steering. I can move the wheel left and right conservatively one inch in either direction without activation of steering. Slop in the steering.
Has anyone experienced this issue after gearbox change.
so many threads in this post I don’t know if I’ve read about this problem.

 

[Scrubb84]

Update
Jeep dealer replaced the gearbox and performed an alignment.
when I left with the Gladiator, it was immediately apparent there was something wrong.
there is a large dead spot in the steering. I can move the wheel left and right conservatively one inch in either direction without activation of steering. Slop in the steering.
Has anyone experienced this issue after gearbox change.
so many threads in this post I don’t know if I’ve read about this problem.

You have to get under and watch while someone else turns ur steering wheel to be sure what is causing the slop. Dont be surprised if u got another bad box. Ive had many. I hope its something simple for u tho.

 

[BeardedYinzer]

I just took my JTR (7/2019 build date) into the dealer today. They said the TBS didn't apply but another one did. I challenged, but we shall see what happens.

 

[SkyKing]

I opened the window, stepped outside and moved the steering wheel in the dead spot. The tires do not react.
My prediction is a bad gearbox.

 

[Scrubb84]

I opened the window, stepped outside and moved the steering wheel in the dead spot. The tires do not react.
My prediction is a bad gearbox.

Chances are its a bad box. But u have to get under and watch the side to side movement to make sure. I had one dealer replacement box where they didnt put in the steering shaft bolt that tightens the steering shaft to the input shaft on the box. It was still a bad box, but that took the slop down from 3 inches to 2 inches.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I opened the window, stepped outside and moved the steering wheel in the dead spot. The tires do not react.
My prediction is a bad gearbox.

That may be - but they may have also not torqued the pitman nut or done something else silly (or dumb)
Have someone in the truck moving the wheel while you watch under the hood and under the truck. (engine not running to begin with)

 

[SkyKing]

Loose bolt….
Sad that I will bring my Gladiator home, put it on my lift to inspect the work. Our society has gone to shit! Customer service and quality control is at an all time low.

 

[Scrubb84]

Loose bolt….
Sad that I will bring my Gladiator home, put it on my lift to inspect the work. Our society has gone to shit! Customer service and quality control is at an all time low.

Now im curious. Which bolt was it?

 

[Plumbob]

Mine has a build date 9/19. Dealership did the update without issue

 

[SkyKing]

Now im curious. Which bolt was it?

“The bolt that clamps the steering shaft to the gear box wasn’t tight so I tightened it more and got rid of the slop”…

I need to have a discussion with service manager.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

“The bolt that clamps the steering shaft to the gear box wasn’t tight so I tightened it more and got rid of the slop”…

I need to have a discussion with service manager.

Yes you do, for sure. That sort of crap, and the people who have found pitman arm nuts not locked, not torqued, even loose and down a few threads - that can kill. Heads need to be smacked.

 

[SkyKing]

I’ve only driven it five miles or so. Can’t say I’m experiencing the “WOW” factor. I’ve got very low confidence in the dealer and the new gearbox. How are we to know what’s “normal”, “correct”…

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